Kings Lynn to Lincoln - 105k - Fri 22 June

We decided that because there was so much offering at Lincoln to see, and because the weather is bad at least to lowsy at best, we would hit the main road all the way to Lincoln, and bi-pass the towns of Kings Lynn and Boston along the way as per the original plan. It was a wet night, and we packed up in the rain and headed off with heads down shielded from the rain.

We crossed over the River Ouse for the last time and headed west, again with a favourable breeze behind us, and with the road still as flat as a pancake! Julie led today all the way, and we did our best days average since starting our ride!! She rides really well on the flat - she is not keen on the hills, but for now - no hills!

We also decided to stay in a B&B in Lincoln, because the planned camping ground was several k out of town, and that would not make it easy to get in tot he Castle and Cathedral late in the day as planned, especially in the wet.

So we 'put the hammer' down, and rode having the time of our life. At twenty k and forty k we would stop and drink and have some M&M's, and then get back into it. We stopped after about 60k at a little village of Swinehead, just off the highway for lunch. It had a most outstanding Church in the centre of village that we could see for miles before, but also a centre memorial to war dead, including a set of stocks from days of old. As soon as we prepared lunch, the rain bucketed down on us, and we finished it standing under the awning of the church hall.

We set sail to Lincoln, as as we approached Lincoln from the east, it was wet, and the road started to introduce some hills, and much to Julie's disappointment, it chewed away slightly at the great high average that she was so proud of. We found our way into Lincoln. It is basically a boring large town, but perched high up on the hill in the centre is the Castle and Cathedral both started by the orders of William the Conqueror in 1068.

We had to head for the Cathedral because we knew our B&B was just down the road. We went through the centre of town, and met the really old village just inside the old walls, then straight up ''Steep Street'' - the famous steep street street named appropriately, and made our way to the B&B dripping wet but happy and spirited. After a bath, we explored the Cathedral and the old town which is so beautiful and ornate, and then had tea at the Aussie pub ''The Walkabout'', meeting a girl on staff from Wollongong. We asked why is she here when she could be home surfing - she said she was asking herself the same. It was pouring with rain outside.

It had been a great day. While the rain came down, we made our way back up 'Steep Hill', and then the few hundred yards to our B&B for the night. The Cathedral is bigger then Ely Cathedral. It is just magnificent, and when we attended there tonight before dinner, we just missed Evensong, but were given a lovely tour of the building with insights into its wonderful history.

Its been another great day. Without doubt, Julie's best day on the bike - 108k of magnificent riding with all her panniers and back pack. She has really improved in the cycling stakes.

We had no trouble getting off to sleep! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers from back home. We really are doing fine. We realised today that in just 5 days, we will bash our way over Hadrian's Wall and enter Scotland! Today we hit 1600k or thereabouts. We give thanks to God everyday!